The Book, the Man, and the Venue — James Monroe
Book Review — Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness by Harlow Unger
Welcome back to “The Book, the Man and the Venue”, my weekly newsletter that aims to shed light on every U.S. president in a way that is engaging, informative, and hopefully, fun!
Every Monday, I’ll be releasing a new article in which I chronicle my journey through one biography for each U.S. President. Each post will consist of three parts: I’ll offer a brief review of the biography (the Book), share reflections on the president’s character and legacy (the Man), and choose a location where I would spend time with the president if they were alive today (the Venue).
Hopefully, you will find the content both enriching and enjoyable, and if you like what you read, please consider checking out my other articles (and subscribing if you don’t already)!
Without further ado: James Monroe
The Book
Harlow Unger’s “The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation’s Call to Greatness” is the first book in my presidential journey that I wouldn’t recommend. While the book does have some admirable qualities, including its brevity and entertainment value, it frequently falls into an overly simplistic and almost comically one-sided narrative, raising doubts about the author’s overall credibility.
Unger himself is an undeniably talented writer. His book is fast-paced, exciting, and full of captivating details that add vibrancy to an all too often overlooked president. And yet, Unger is so blatant in his love for Monroe that it makes it challenging for readers to accept his account at face value. He never mentions Monroe’s failures as an ambassador in both Paris and London, shuns historians crediting John Quincy Adams for the Monroe Doctrine, and consistently portrays Elizabeth Monroe as a saintly figure despite conflicting firsthand accounts. As a reader with limited knowledge of Monroe, I would have preferred a perspective that provides a fair and honest portrayal of the fifth president.
On the last page of his book, Harlow Unger examines the Monroe Doctrine and its misguided application by contemporary presidents:
“In the twentieth century, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard M. Nixon, and Ronald Reagan invoked the Monroe Doctrine relentlessly – and often speciously – to repel attempts by Nazi Germany, the Soviet Union, and other foreign nations to undermine American interests in the Western Hemisphere. Since the Second World War, several American presidents have reinterpreted and misconstrued the Monroe Doctrine to include American economic and political interests in the world – in Europe, the Middle East, and parts of the Far East. Wherever and whenever American interests seem threatened, American presidents still wave the rattlesnake flag of James Monroe’s Virginia regiment to warn would-be aggressors against the United States, Don’t Tread on Me!
The last Founding Father, James Monroe, might well have done the same.”
In this analysis, Unger demonstrates precision, calculation, and remarkable thoughtfulness. Had the rest of his book been crafted with the same care, it might have garnered a more favorable review.
Rating: 4.1/10
The Man
There is a funny anecdote in the book where young James Monroe is on a quest for love. One of his potential suitors, Sarah Vaughn, was brutally honest in her assessment of the man, writing:
“Poor Col. Monroe! The man is in despair…he has lost his heart on board the Albany sloop…I fear his love did not meet with a return because he lacked gaiety and liveliness and was physically unattractive — unless you prove the dimple on his chin to be what constitutes beauty.”
Glad to see even future presidents have their fair share of dating woes. (Spoiler alert: He eventually landed in a happy marriage, proving that everyone can have their "Albany sloop" moment and end up just fine).
The Venue
Monroe had a passion for various gambling games, indulging in poker, chess, checkers, and billiards. In a memorable incident, he managed to win about £19 pounds (equivalent to around $1200 today) from his childhood friend and future Supreme Court Justice, John Marshall. Given my own love for gambling, I think that Monroe and I would have a great time at the Kentucky Derby. I’d love to do some betting on the horses and chat about what it was like to watch Napoleon take the crown from the pope firsthand. Hopefully, he would too.
I hope that you’ve enjoyed this installment of “The Book, the Man, and the Venue.” If you have feedback about today’s issue, or thoughts about future topics, please feel free to send me a message.
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Love the photo!
Do you have any other James Monroe recommendations?